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57th St-7th Ave (N, Q, R, W)
57th St-6th Ave (F)
59th St-Columbus Circle (1, A, C, B, D)
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Another dinner and learn party took us my coworkers and I to this restaurant. The power point presentation was wonderful and resourceful,
but what about the food?
The area reserved to the dinner party was quiet and we were able to have uninterrupted and interesting discussions. We had a preset menu and I chose for appetizer the salmon tartar, which was amazing and tasty. For entree I chose the grilled flank steak served with mashed potato. The steak was juicy and moist on the inside and brown all around, fabulous dish. For desert I chose the seasonal fruit tarte, I liked it as well.
I turned down the wine and the champagne but my coworker said it was good and I believe her, she has great tastes.
I totally recommend this restaurant for your learning gathering, or just having a romantic night out. This restaurant will be a great choice to pop the big question!
The moment I walked in I felt like I was a child about to be scolded. The decor was nice and elegant, with beautifully lighted life size art deco ladies on the darkened glass behind the bar. However, the place had a distinctly museum quality that was only accentuated by my date and myself being one of the only couples in the restaurant for the first 30 minutes of our meal.
They had a significant wine list, though most bottles were $45 and up (I hate restaurant wine- it's always overpriced!)
My date and I both had the Prixe Fixe. I chose the Smoked Salmon as my apetizer, the flank steak (rare) as my entree and the tiramisu as my dessert. I also had a few glasses of a Rose which was the most enjoyable part of my meal.
The salmon was bland. The Crème fraîche served with the salmon was even more bland. I can't even recall if it had any taste to it whatsoever. Somehow, in the smoking process, they managed to remove 80% of the flavor from the salmon.
My steak was actually quite good. The end bits were a little tough, but it was cooked perfectly- nice and red inside.
The tiramisu was, well.. soggy!
Overall, not an experience I would recommend to others.
SUPERB DINING EXPERIENCE
A stunning array of dishes, however, it's really expensive.
Subdued & classy ambiance and a great place for a special date/anniversary. The caviar was flavorful without being too salty, and the salmon was prepared perfectly. The regular menu is pricey, so if necessary opt for the prix fix menu.
Ok, I will be a little harsh, so get ready for it.
I was really curious about Russian cuisine, and Lindsay I and I planned to hit Petrossian. It was yesterday actually we hit this place. We made a reservation for 5:45pm on http://opentable.com but we got there a little early. Fortunately, a waiter allowed us to have a table and let us order.
Our target was pre-fixed menu for this Summer restaurant week. We had a few choices; we chose 'smoked salmon' and 'caviar sandwich' for appetizer, steaks for antree, tiramisu and ice-cream for desert. Smoked salmon was good~! It was salty enough and very soft. Caviar sandwich did not hold enough caviar, but come on, this is appetizer, and for this cheap price you cannot get more caviar than that! My first caviar experience just started like this. :( I did not really feel the difference between this caviar and those from sushi, but I guess my tongue wasn't sensitive enough. Let's talk about the steaks; I had mine medium. And I did not like it. I mean the meat did not hold enough flavor. I felt something was missing.(Maybe because I am not a big fan of steaks.) The tiramisu was great though. My ice cream ruined the taste of tiramisu, but still it was great. (FYI, I didn't like the ice cream...)
So -1 from the steak.
Then you will ask me "what happened to another star?" Let me tell you why.
This place looked fancy and elegant. Nice lights, nice tables, nice wall sculptures, and waiters/waitresses in clean suits. However, the NOISE!! I am not sure if the noise was from the kitchen or somewhere else, but it kept coming, and it really bothered our conversation. Some kind of noise like dropping metallic plates kept coming. argggg.. and this guy.. I asked for a check twice, but he forgot about us and kept serving other tables..Later I finally talked to the manager(I think) and he got it for me. Not a good experience.
So I could only give 3 stars.. Yes call me harsh reviewer.. but this is my review!
p.s: Jacket is preferred, but you don't really need jackets. But you may not want to come here in your shorts. :P
Have you ever wanted to watch old Russian mobsters paw their 20-something y/o girlfriends while you enjoy a fabulous cuisine of top champagne and caviar? Then this is the place! Right around the corner from the old Russian Tea Room, Petrossian is fun, not only for its top notch Russian cuisine, but also for the "people-watching" entertainment it provides.
My advice is to go with the champagne, caviar, and smoked fish which are signatures of Russian cuisine. The friendly staff will take care of any questions you have.
I agree with earlier 'yelpers' who said the place can feel a little stuffy if you are under 40. The trick is to be mature and enjoy watching these old men in their element.
An upscale French/Russian restaurant in Midtown near Central Park of Columbus Circle. The Jumbo Lump Crab Meat Risotto was great, and the Smoked Salmon was somewhat salty. The web site's pre-fixe menu is out of date as in reality there is no Cassis Napoléon on their dessert portion of their pre-fixe menu. I have yet to try their caviar.
The service is just okay as it is the typical stuffy snobby wait staff. They keep giving me a rude scowl look asking if I were the organizer of our group event when supposedly thirty (30) people were attending taking up four tables. The organizer had another event, which she could not get out of; thus her presence was not at this dinner. I had an okay time despite of the stuffy, snobby wait staff combined with sitting next to someone who is obnoxiously rude in asking personal details, as a complete and total stranger, for my salary at a former job in a past life. This dude was also rude to the wait staff for he was impatiently demanding for his entrée as soon as his appetizer was taken away, which he desperately needs a crash course from Emily Post Etiquette, Kay West, and Kate Spade. Manners are mandatory at an upscale restaurant and service cannot be rushed.
The restaurant is adorned with the conservative look of imported crystal, etched mirrors with dim lighting. Although they have a pre-fixe menu for $35.00 per person with our table of six, with sales tax, the bill totaled is a whooping $325.00 as they itemized salads, dessert as a separate charge rather than including it in the $35.00 pre-fixe. This is deceiving as they did not charge 6 people with pre-fixe at $35.00. Pre-fixe price is deceiving, and extremely pricey even for one person.
I highly do NOT recommend this restaurant for groups as their tables cannot accommodate group settings. Children is also highly NOT recommended as it is not kid friendly. There is no coat check and no bathroom attendant despite being an upscale restaurant which is disappointing.
Oh to be a princess! To be in a refined place that inspires your date to stand when you depart for the restroom, hell, a place that requires a knife and fork! Lovely.
I was pampered with the prefixe for dinner for a mere $35 for three courses. There are little upgrades to be had; the $4 for the foie gras terrine with frisee and truffle oil was undoubtably worth it as was the $4 for 12 grams of caviar added to the crab risotto. My main, the pan seared branzini with asparagus and roasted potatoes, needed no alterations. The peach crumble capped the meal off delicately and deliciously with a perfect cappuccino.
The service we received was attentive without being overbearing and the setting was elegant yet manageable. Alcohol factors into the meal, but I trust each diner to find his or her pleasure within his or her budget. Let's just say, Petrossian inspires champagne and vodka. That, and good table manners. Lovely.
Uninspiring.
Caviar = 4
Everything Else = 2
Averages out to a 3
My friends and I dined here during Winter RW. I've been wanting to try Petrossian (name for the Armenian brothers who started this French-inspired Russian restaurant) for a while.
I opted for the higher end caviar for an additional $14. It was good. But it was served on a coaster sized pancake. Why? It wasn't a good match at all. I would have preferred the caviar to be served traditionally.
The caviar is worth it here, but I can't attest to any of their other dishes being worth the trip to this place of tacky decor. You can seriously break the bank on some of their quadruple digit priced caviar! Those are strictly reserved for ballers, one of which I am not.
For the entree, two of chose the sturgeon. The fish itself was a good, but the way it was prepared was disappointing. Our other friend opted for the beef stroganoff. Too little sour cream left it tasting tomatoey. Last time I checked, there's not supposed to be tomatoes in stroganoff.
The dessert was okay.
The service was slow, geriatric-paced slow.
Many tables were empty, leaving us to believe that they wanted to keep as many people there to create an air of a semi-filled restaurant. Everywhere we looked, the clientele were all old. Old as in any of them could've been our parents old.
Petrossian... one and done. Never again.
Russian Tea Room... maybe.
Oh Petrossian, how I love thee. Let me count the ways...
If I could eat at any restaurant for every meal, every day of the week, it would be Petrossian. I can't really explain how much I love caviar, I used to roll it up in thin slices of chicken (a la "The Bell Jar") when I was little, and eat it secretly in my room. My mother was always blaming my father for finishing it off, and to this day she does not know that I was the real culprit. (sorry dad)
Now...on to Petrossian... You are sure to have a fabulous meal here. My only qualm is that they don't have a caviar martini. hehe ;)....I went here most recently with my adopted grandfather, Louie....He is the only man I know who will treat me to caviar and then sit through a four hour Wagner opera afterward....:)...but I digress...
Brunch is my favorite meal to get at Petrossian, the menu for this meal is simply splendiferous (and yes, that is a real word). Appetizers are a must at this restaurant, if you don't normally order them, make and exception at Petrossian. The Duck Risotto & the Poached Pear are both amazing, but if you love those little black eggs as much as I do, you should go for the USA Farmed Caviar with the Blini and Crème Fraiche. Oh Lord, it is soooo delicious. The combination of the salty caviar, the light blini and the refreshing Crème is heavenly.
For entrees I can only recommend the Caviar Omelette, because it's the only thing I have ever ordered! Every time I've gone to Petrossian I've tried very hard to order a different entree, but every time I end up caving and getting the omelette. It's just so decadent and different. If you are new to caviar, this is a nice dish for you to try. It's less intimidating than the caviar appetizers, but you will still get to experience the taste and texture.
And as for dessert, why the hell not? If you're going to break your wallet on an amazing brunch, you might as well go for the whole shebang. All of the deserts are delicious, but my favorite is the Blueberry and Red Wine Compote. It comes with almonds and cream cheese ice cream. It's wonderfully sweet and smooth, but you can still taste just a little bit of bite from the red wine.
So ladies, treat yourself to a lovely afternoon, or go out and adopt a grandfather and let him treat YOU....hands off Louie though, he's mine!
Great food. Great service. Went during restaurant week last year and it was delish! The Seared West Coast Sturgeon with wild mushrooms, caramelized brussels sprouts, caviar beurre blanc is to die for! It's too bad that's it's no longer offered on the restaurant week menu. You'll have to pay full menu price if you want to try it. I also had the blini with caviar as the appetizer (for an additional $12) which was also delicious, but seemed a little pricy as a supplement. However, the Seared Long Island Duck Breast was also cooked beautifully, and is still offered on the restaurant week menu. So for all you foodies that are on a budget, a definite do try.
The restaurant is dimly lit so a great location for a romantic dinner, however don't expect to feel comfortable enough to get romantic. The place feels a little rigid, difficult to feel at ease. Definitely not a casual dining experience. Also expect to feel a little out of place if you're under 50 years old. But the food is so good, the hell with it. Suck it up, throw on a tie, and get yourself a reservation! I can't wait to go back to try the Lobster Porcini Risotto!
I am surprised to read the negative reviews about this place because I had a lovely dining experience on my first visit here.
Petrossian is your typical, conservative French/Russian restaurant, with an upper east side flair to it (Be ready to feel like Princess Anastasia). My friends and I were blatantly the youngest diners there during our visit- everyone else was in their late 40's/50's and decked out in suits.
This restaurant is known for their caviar, smoked fish and foie gras- I tried a sampler platter of all three and they were excellent, particularly the salmon terrine.
Other great dishes include their signature borscht with creme fraiche/pirojkis, their seared sturgeon w/ caramelized brussels sprouts and caviar beurre blanc, and their lobster porcini risotto is easily the best risotto i've had at any fine dining restaurant.
A 3 course meal would amount to about 70 dollars per person excluding wine, and although this is pricey, it is definitely worth it if you enjoy "elitish" food. Petrossian also offers a $35 pre-fixe dinner menu that is good value for money.
I can see how the place can give off a snooty vibe, so i would not come here on just any regular day, but it is great for a special occasion or if the parents/grandparents are in town.
Located in the beautiful and historic Alwyn Court Building on Manhattan's West Side, Petrossian is definitely a site to behold. Inside it is decorated with the finest imported crystal, bronze statues, etched mirrors, china and pink granite. It is known throughout the world for its caviar, smoked fish and foie gras.
It doesn't disappoint. The smoked salmon pictured here was definitely a show-stopper. It was smoked differently than the one at Café Boulud and had stronger flavors which the onion and capers cut nicely into. I was pleasantly surprised by the large portion as well.
I was skeptical to order a filet at a French-influenced restaurant but was craving red meat. The fact that it came with wild mushrooms and garlic mashed potatoes pushed me over the edge. It was surprisingly delicious, perfectly cooked to medium rare and very flavorful and juicy. This definitely rivals the steakhouses in NY, and for a cheaper price.
I'm not a big fan of caviar (forget which one we ordered, but it was $170 for the smallest serving size). Yup, still not a fan. At least I can die happy knowing I tried some supposedly amazing caviar from one of the most famous caviar purveyors in the world. However, the steak tartar with caviar was unbelievable. I've never a pairing like it and will definitely be back over and over again because of this dish. It was a match made in heaven..kinda like me and that hot girl last night...though she didn't know that.
Onto dessert. We ordered the summer berry soufflé wondering why it was called a summer soufflé. Turns out, it was made from sorbet on top of a layer of cake or something like that. Very unique and refreshing on what was a relatively warm day.
pics here http://www.alexeatswor...
beautiful building, amazing decor.
or all the smoked salmon i've had, this one was definitely a…
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I went to Petrossian during the 2-month long winter restaurant week and was very impressed to say the least. We ate like kings and paid like thieves. The caviar and fish were delicious! Atmosphere feels a bit stuffy if you're under 40, but the staff was friendly. Highly recommended!
I came here for RW a couple of weeks ago with a girlfriend and was treated to the coldest server I have ever seen. She left us sitting there for almost 15 minutes before taking our order and only then did she ask us if we would care for water. No. Clearly we like sitting there with bread and no water.
For the service, I would give Petrossian 1 star.
However, the entree of the sturgeon was the redeeming moment and I have to admit to polishing off every single bite. Especially because the mushrooms they used were unbelievable!!!
My friend got the Baked Apple which was overwhelmingly sweet and I got the valrhona chocolate cake which was pretty standard though good.
Go for the sturgeon and good company so you can forget about the poor service.
Ugh. I had been meaning to here for a while, and maybe should have stayed away.
Let me count the ways:
1. Cold Soup - Really a fundamental idea in a restaurant, is that if you are getting soup that isn't called gazpacho it should be hot. Something like this shouldn't be an issue.
2. Hair in Food - From what I had heard, this place wasn't a bad Dane Cook movie, so chef's hair prominently displayed in food should never really be a concern.
3. The Bill - Placing 10 drinks on a bill when the table only ordered 4 will lead questions.
As for the food, nothing was really that spectacular. The duck was overcooked, but the rice pilaf that it was served with was tasty. The sea bass was good, but heavily over buttered. So coupled with the terrible service, I could not imagine going back.
Petrossian!!
Got a chance to sneak in during the Restaurant week. And oh boy Isn't that some nice Caviar??
Petrossian!!
To be honest, I have had better Caviar elsewhere but its actually their attention to detail which made my visit worthwhile..
Talk about Petrossian!!
Well they didn't have any good deals on the Caviar but they had the most amazing Carrot Ginger Soup. It was rich and well made.
Talk about Petrossian!!
I had the sesame, fillet Caviar burger and that was precise and to the point. Not more and not less.
You talking about Petrossian?
I had an average dessert, relative to what I ate before. It was too rich for me.
Talk about Petrossian - It was a good experience but I ain't sure I m gonna go back during the regular week days. The waitress could have smiled off a little bit more. They showed the whole gloomy face of economy right there. No wonder what a smile on the face a person can do to you.
I visited on August 8, 2008 and experienced unforgiveably rude service.
The ambiance was good, and although a jacket isn't required, it's an old-school fancy place to eat. There were a lot of older folks (50s, 60s), and a table of early college kids.
Our party of four called ahead for reservations for dinner at 6:45. We partook of the prix fixe menu. I started with the house-smoked salmon. It was very good and was sprinkled with boiled egg whites and capers. Next, I got the Seared West Coast Sturgeon, served with caramelized Brussel sprouts, Trumpet Royal mushrooms, and a caviar beurre blanc (white butter cream sauce). It was excellent. I also tasted my friend's filet mignon, and it was one of the more tender steaks that I have had. For dessert, I had the Summer Berry Soufflé Glacé with toasted almonds. Essentially, it's sorbet, mixed in with stale cake crumbs, re-frozen into a cup-shape. I was not a fan. It tasted good but was hardly worth the fancy-name hype. Go instead for the mint chocolate cake. We ordered a bottle of the least expensive French Rhone red wine, and at $35, it was good.
I would have given this restaurant four stars if it weren't for this drama: after we all finished our meals, it took probably 15+ minutes for our waiter to bring the check. We quickly settled the bill. We sat, talking, for 5 minutes. The waiter suddenly rushed up to my dining companion and said, "Sir, may I buy you a drink at the bar?!? We have people waiting for a table." The tone was stern and condescending. The volume was clearly audible to all at our table. With looks of shock on our faces, we just walked out.
There are too many restaurants in Manhattan to try than ones with condescending waiters. I won't be back.
Before arriving in NY for my week of fun, I was most looking forward to eating at Petrossian. I've loved caviar my whole life, and it was more affordable when I was a child, not so much lately. All I wanted was some caviar to satisfy my cravings. Who knew that I would get so much more dining at Petrossian. Not only was the caviar incredible (served over a blini with some creme fraiche) but my duck breast entree was really delicious. Next time I'd ask for it to be cooked a bit less (I went with medium) but otherwise it was a really beautiful dish. I love trying out these wonderful restaurants during Restaurant Week. Some places offer less than desirable menu options during this time period, but Petrossian is not one of those places (which is why I picked it). Although I had to pay an additional amount to choose the caviar option as my appetizer, it was completely worth it. On my way out, I grabbed one of their catalogs for the subway ride home. Flipping through the pages of caviar, smoked salmon, and foie gras, I've now found what can only be described as food porn. Oh yes, I will savor the images in their catalog until my next visit (and there definitely will be one!)...
It's been a while since I've been thinking about trying out Petrossian and finally did. With the grandeur of the restaurant exterior, I was a little surprised at the actual size of the place. Inside, the decor, the clientele, maitre'd, servers and everything else tell you it's an old school kinda place.
We had the
- Maviar and Salmon Roe - blinis & creme fraiche
(Good but the blinis were a tad thicker than expected, nevertheless I enjoyed this dish)
- Seared West Coast Sturgeon with trumpet royal mushrooms, caramelized brusselsprouts topped with caviar beurre blanc
(FANTASTIC. I loved this dish. My friend, who's had this dish when he spent some time in Russia said that it tasted exactly the same as it should).
- Baked Apple with vanilla ice cream, cinnamon crumble and caramel sauce
(GOOD, I enjoyed this thoroughly)
- Dark Brownie with caramelized bananas, pineapple mousse and chocolate sauce
(OK - let's just say I prefer my apple ;p)
I had a Pearossian cocktail served in a tiny martini glass. Alas it was a tad too sweet / thick for me.
Dinner was never rushed. In fact the 2 ladies at the table beside us (who were talking at the top of their voices) had already finished dinner the time we sat down. They continued to sit there for the next 2 hours without any subsequent orders and left the same time we did.
Service was a little spotty. We weren't served any table water and it was only at the time of the entree that I needed to quench my thirst that we realized that we have no water on the table. Also, we were asked for our tea / coffee orders not before but abruptly while we were enjoying our desserts.
Overall, a good dinner. I enjoyed the food at Petrossian. Bummer that I had to continue listening to the loud chatter of the 2 ladies in the bathroom apres dinner and even bumped into them at the subway thereafter! It was like a bad rash that didn't wanna go away.
Random point: When the reservationist called me to confirm my reservation, I actually thought it was a Chinese restaurant calling.
Whoa! I didn't know this place was so expensive! I feel bad now because my sis must have spent bank ordering all those pastries for everyone. We didn't come to this place to have breakfast, dine in for lunch or order anything other than the pastries. And I'm not a real big pastries guy. (Please, no snide remarks or silly comebacks!) I could take it or leave it. But my sister insisted on treating me to what she felt was the best pastry place in all of NYC. I'll tell you now that I'm a big fan. (I don't know about pastries in general but certainly the variety at this place.)
The almond croissant here was better than any I've ever tried. There's not even a close 2nd place either. And the raspberry tarts are quite possibly the best tasting thing I've ever put in my mouth! Okay, maybe I'll recant this statement later but those tasty treats were the highlight of my recent food venture there in Manhattan. I just viewed their website and nope, no pictures of the raspberry tarts (the blackberry tarts are almost as good). But trust me, they're even as pretty as they are tasty. Let me know if you want to see a picture. (FYI, one of my profile pictures shows me eating one...not that you care.)
My family wanted to come back to this place again the next morning and there was no argument from me. How often do you have the opportunity to indulge yourself to something you enjoy more than once on a short weekend trip from out of town? And the fact that it was once again for free? Priceless!
Oh, I just wanted to leave a comment or ask a question to the reviewer below me. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your experience nearly as much but what did you expect from a place that serves caviar and foie gras? This ain't your neighborhood Starbucks!
Cheers!
MY husband and I went to Petrossian during the summer RW recently for dinner, and we were very surprised that there were a lot of vacant tables that night. Well, I have to say that the food here is just OK; we had three "cold cut" appetizers showing no techniques at all. My flank steak main course was too dried and hard outside, but the accompanying sauce was tasty enough to make me finish the steak. However, the portion of food was large considering we were in a French influenced restaurant. We were so full that we couldn't finish our desserts!!!
Such an awful RW experience. I only picked this place cause my friend raved about his RW exerience last year as the best ever so I figured I valued his food blogger opinion. Oy did they phone it in. The maviar and salmon roe wasn't bad, my friend got the caviar supplement which was quite good but I don't know if it's worth the extra supplement. My friend got the beef stroganoff which was decent but not that great...I feel like its something a diner could make better. I tried their recommended sturgeon and while it was prepared correctly from a technical perspective it was very obvious that this was prepared beforehand. The accompanying vegetables (mushrooms etc) were dried out from being under a heat lamp or thrown back in the oven and the fish was cold from sitting out. I got food poisoning that night and I assume its from the fish.
Dessert, I think was some fruit pastry, not that good, didn't even finish it even though I wasn't full.
Too make things worse, although the service was friendly enough it took forever to get our check. They cleared our dessert dishes and then kept going to other tables without coming over despite repeated attempts to make eye contact and/or wave. After getting the check we had to go through the same process to get our credit cards. I think the whole thing took at least 20 minutes. Just buy their caviar from the shop and forget about the restaurant. The decor is weird too.
This place is classic and classy. The decor is exquisite.
We went there in the winter-time, dressed to the nine, the place was fairly empty with superb service and I felt like an old time New Yorker.
We ordered different variations of caviar along with chilled vodka (I prefer vodka with caviar instead of champagne). The caviar is unforgettable, it certainly surpasses the entrees and desserts.
All-in-all this place is spectacular.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.
So, the first time I went to Petrossian with my mother the service was terrible. I posted a review on here and forwarded it to the email of the restaurant. I received an email from Alexandre Petrossian which said,
"Dear Mr Siegel
Thank you for writing to us regarding your recent dining experience at Petrossian Restaurant. We do appreciate hearing from our customers, as their comments are vital for us to continue improving our service. I am sorry if you considered your visit less than perfect.
The lack of service you experienced is unusual and not the standard of our restaurant. There is no excuse for the less than perfect service you received. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Please visit us again, and we will make sure that your next experience will be much more pleasurable.
Call me on my private phone line at 212 xxx xxxx, so that I may make the arrangements for you personally.
Again, my apologies for your last visit.
We hope that you will give us another chance to serve you."
So, I'm thinking, ok, if we go back it's going to be really nice and we MAY even get something comp'd like a drink at least.
So, we take him up on his "offer" and he writes this back
"i will be more then happy to make a reservation for you and your friends for next Sunday.
and i will make sure personally that your experience is unforgettable.
thank you to think about us for you next new york visit.
i hope Petrossian will meet your expectation this time."
Well, Alexandre made our reservation, fine, thanks, woo hoo. That turned out to be the extent of his making sure our next visit would be unforgettable.
We get there and we were not expecting a free meal but curious to see if they knew of our last visit. We all ordered the brunch pre-fixe. The risotto was good, everything else was lackluster (I had the eggs Benedict, gross, my friends had the burger which they said was enjoyable but not great, and the fruit tart was old as the crust was stale) We each had two Mimosas at 12.00 a piece...pricey but I guess because the place is always empty they have to up the price to pay the mortgage.
Everyone in the restaurant needed a shot of prozac because NOBODY smiled. The Indian bus boy looked really angry and the lady who spoke to us and took our drink orders couldn't even bare to look at us in the eye, let alone smile.
As I said in my last review, the outside of the building looks amazing, the inside looks like a tacky Jersey diner.
I'm resentful that our experience was not at ALL special as Alexandre Petrossian wrote and that I wasted my Sunday brunch at this dated and depressing restaurant.
dine at your own risk. If you're a tourist there are better places to go to and if you are resident of the city like I am don't even bother trying this place.
Disappointing on so many levels.
Went with my mom for Saturday brunch. I love the outside of this…
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** 3 1/2 stars, rounded down due to rude waiter **
Petrossian extended their Restaurant Week pre-fixed menu, which is what I ordered. I had the Tomato Vanilla Soup with crab and avocado for my first course. It was good, but I could not taste the vanilla, and it would have been better with more crab and/or avocado. I suspect we should have ordered some caviar, as that is their specialty.
My entree was the Filet Mignon. It was excellent, but not the best I've ever had. The accompanying potatoes were also delicious. I also sampled my companion's Sturgeon, which I also found to be delicious.
Finally, for dessert, I had the Souffle Glace, which while not bad per se, was a little disappointing for a restaurant like this. I believe the chocolate mint cake would have been a better choice.
The atmosphere was very fancy, and the average age of the patrons was probably mid-50's (quite a few years older than my 37). I'm a fan of more modern decor, but it is hard to deny the quality of the eloquently classic decor. All the same, from my perspective, the word "stodgy" couldn't help come to mind.
To top off our evening here, which really was pretty nice up until the end, we were treated very poorly by our waiter. We had trouble getting the check, which would imply to us that they were not in a hurry for us to leave. After finally getting the check, we paid promptly, and received no change despite us not telling him to keep the change (he retained a 23.7% tip for himself--we would have given him 20% anyway). We lingered at the table for about another 10 minutes, before he very curtly asked us to vacate the table.
Now, he did offer to buy us a drink at the bar, but he did so in such a mean insulting manor, we had no desire to stay. We also would have been very understanding had he came to us and politely explained that people were waiting on our table (although there were about 10 unused tables available).
It is a shame that one man could so negatively impact what was otherwise a nice dining experience.
Legendary, elegant and grand....and worth it.
We had the three kinds of caviar (Beluga, Ossetra and Sevruga) champagne, and Blinis.
This place is too romantic for words. We have made it a tradition to go there once a year.
Great location (close to Carnegie Hall) and there is a little secret: they have a prix fix menu that allows you to indulge your fantasies.
But perhaps what I love best, is sitting on the mink banquettes.
Ladies, don't forget to chose that seat! You will be literally sitting in the lap of luxury in this old-world elegant restaurant, and trust me, you will feel like a Princess.
The service was not intimidating. Your money is as good here as anyone's. You don't have to be a celebrity to be treated like one.
Oh, they also have delivery....that is you can order on line, and probably from a catalog, too, once you get on their mailing list.
Decadence, at its best.
Wonderful on every level. Might I suggest (in addition to binging on ossetra and blinis) the prosciutto wrapped scallops and red bean salad w/ jicama and manchego? Delicious.
A little disappointed that 35 oz of the Tsar Imperial Ossetra costs about $7500. But who needs 35 oz of caviar.
I keep going back and forth about my Petrossian experience. I liked it alot, but I keep thinking that they could have done just a little more to make it special.
We ordered the $68 prix fix dinner, which was three courses. Now - the $48 (might have been $42, can't remember exactly) option offered more options, but did not include the foie gras, and I wanted foie gras.
The restaurant itself is an old school beauty with Erte etchings behind the bar and sculptures against the windows. The table setting was beautiful and as someone else mentioned the silverware was Christofle - nice stuff.
We were started off with an amuse of caviar on a blini. It wasn't on the menu and when they served it to us, they just dropped it off. No explanation of the type of caviar or anything like that. I would have liked to have known what I was eating. The caviar itself had good flavor, but no pop. It was almost as if it was a little stale or something.
My first course was the Foie Gras and it was good. Not great. I love when foie gras has a nice sear on it. This didn't. The flavor was good and the cous cous that they served it with was very good.
I ordered the Halibut for my second course and it was fantastic. It was served with a Beurre Blanc sauce with more caviar and mushrooms and caramelized brussel sprouts. I ate pretty much every bite and could have had more. It was that good.
My dad ordered the Mediterranean lamb as his main course. He ordered it Medium and it was definitely closer to rare. I thought it was pretty tasty, my dad wasn't all that happy with it from what I could tell.
Dessert was very blah. I had a cardamom cake, which was served with what was supposed to be a sorbet. It was NOT sorbet - it was a granita and wasn't smooth at all. My dad had a chocolate cake that was well...chocolate cake. Nothing all that special.
What I was really disappointed in was the service. This isn't an every day kind of meal and the service should reflect that. They didn't really go out of their way to make us feel welcome or make sure that we had an incredible experience. We had to ask twice for more water and the waiter forgot my dad's coffee.
All in all, I think there are much better values for a dinner like this in the city.
I think the most extraordinary thing about this place is the service. Our waiter was so courteous and mindful the smallest details I wouldn't even care about. I felt like a queen. hehe
the food itself was nothing spectacular, but it was fresh and well made. Presentation was very nice. I think it's just my personal preference for bold flavors and spices, which the French don't specialize in, so don't hold my review against them. I would totally recommend this place (if only for the mixed berry sabayon).
Went during Restaurant Week. It was good but nothing spectacular. The selection on the RW menu was just OK. I'm sure we'd have been better off ordering from the regular menu.
Probably should've had the caviar since it's what they're known for.
I took my friend to Petrossian to celebrate her birthday and it was wonderful from the moment we walked in. The decor is absolutely beautiful and elegant. We were greeted immediately and showed to our table. We started with a delicious rose champagne and elected for the prix-fixed. We chose to have the caviar with the bilini, as well as the smoked salmon for our appetizer. There was a small supplement for the caviar, but certainly worth it. It was absolutely to die for. I wanted to eat it all night! The staff was very attentive re-filling our water and bringing out more bread. Our main course was yummy - I had the branzini and my friend had the steak - which were both excellent. We finished off our meal with a compilation of desserts/sorbets that the staff brought out with a candle and decorated with a happy birthday message on the plate. She was so delighted anf thrilled that they made such a fuss over her. I would highly recommend this restaurant!
Came here during Restaurant Week when I was visiting NYC for the 2nd time last summer.
The decor was exquisite! I think it is the prettiest restaurant I have ever been to. Seriously.
And the food...
DELICIOUS. OMGAH. We went on a weekday so it was super empty but that's okay! Too bad we had to rush through dessert since we had to make a broadway show at 8pm. Boo.
I didn't know this place was $$$$!! When we went, the price was fabulous! Didn't break my bank.... so I guess go during Restaurant Week. Totally worth it.
Go here if you want to feel French.
And then get laughed at because you can't pronounce the menu (just kidding, they would NEVER laugh at you to your face).
Go for brunch, and order the French Breakfast it's the best one in the city -- and that opinion is backed-up by a good friend of mine and native Parisian.
Random fact to add: according to this friend of mine, there is no clear equivalent in French to the English word 'fancy.' Discuss.
Great service, decor, food!
We called the last minute to change our Saturday night reservation, because we were in the neighborhood, to the day before and they didn't have any problem doing it.
The wait staff were very attentive and did not rush us. We felt like we could have stayed there all night. They kept a good watch over us in a respectful distance and only came by to refill drinks, bring more bread, clear dishes, etc.
The food was remarkable and the foie gras has got to be one of the best on earth! We nearly killed over, it was so good.
Clientele is a bit old and conservative, but we managed to stay relax because they made us feel welcomed.
The bill was very pleasant and we expected to pay much more for the quality of their food! Would go there again next time in NY!
Really terrific, though a bit expensive. As another reviewer noted, the prix fixe menu is more reasonable, and every time I've ordered off of it, I've had an amazing meal.
Really elegant. A little flashy and stuffy, but still tolerable.
Corner view from one of the most elegant facades in midtown...art deco styled interior...old school dining.
At first I feared that the menu would be as outdated as parts the interior - while charming, it leaves a bit to be desired (the women's bathroom should have died with the 80s, but it is CLEAN). I love art deco, but the carpets and linen haven't lived up to etchings behind the bar. Forget the decor - the food is DELICIOUS. The caviar is high-priced, but both the theatre prix-fixe menu and the Chef's tasting menu are reasonable (note - in order to indulge in the Chef's menu, your whole table needs to choose it). The wine list has a reasonable markup and a fine selection of continental vintages.
Fare highlights include pork, duck, seafood, and of course a good steak.
Although 4 and 5 course meals may seem gluttonous, the proportions give the diner a nice taste without being too stuffed to enjoy the next course. Save room for that dessert! Although my flavored creme brulee was a bit boring, a creme fraiche & berry ramekin and a hot chocolate cake more than made up for it.
Diners were DRESSED. Ladies, pull out your jewels and gentlemen, don't forget the tie (even if you can get away with not having it on, you look so much sharper with it). Go back in time. Be classy. And pop for the $16 glass of Veuve to start your evening off.
Originally I had wanted to go to Petrossian for Winter 2009 Restaurant Week, but when I looked at the RW menu online, there was nothing that really got me salivating... until I read the prix fixe menus. I believe Petrossian has a brunch, lunch, and dinner prix fixe year-round, in addition to the RW lunch and dinner menus that occur during the usual, so in general, prices aren't too shabby, plus there's a la carte if you want certain things. Score!
They don't seem to adhere to the dress code that much, as we saw others wearing jeans and sneakers. We were seated, and our waiter was super nice and let us know about a special they had and answered some questions.
We had some kind of appetizer sampling from the a la carte menu first. The smoked salmon was like what you get anywhere else, but the foie gras and sweet jelly stuff on the blini was smooth and creamy and the caviar with creme fraiche was very tasty.
For the prix fixe brunch, I got the duck confit risotto, seared wild salmon, and for dessert, the blueberry and red wine compote. One thing I will never deny is alcohol in my dessert (even if it's just a little), so if it's an option on any menu, you can bet I'm trying it. The risotto was very creamy and it actually had pieces of duck in it. I ate half of the bowl, but after that, it left a heavy feeling in my stomach. Maybe it's just me. I sucked it up and ate it all anyways. The wild salmon was delicious, but the butternut it came on top of was somewhat lacking in flavor. When the waiter asked me how I liked my salmon, I said medium rare. It came out PERFECT. I don't think I have ever been to a restaurant where they cooked salmon perfectly seared on the outside, nice and med rare on the inside. Well done, Petrossian chef! Obviously the fish, to me, was more important than the veggies. =) The dessert, sadly, was nothing to rave about. What can you do though? It was ice cream with berries in a sauce; I'm pretty sure I can make that in my own kitchen.
My bf ordered the herring sampler (he liked it, but I only liked one of the samples because I thought the rest were too pickle-y flavored), the sturgeon burger, and the dark chocolate flan. He loved his burger; it must have to do with being a guy and eating with hands, but I would have preferred the sturgeon in the caviar beurre blanc. The flan was a little too sweet for both of our tastes.
The waiter was very helpful and people were always making sure we had bread and water (it got refilled every time I had a half empty glass). However, they're not keen on refilling hot water for tea. I guess because it comes in a pot and they don't know when it's empty and don't want to disturb you.
Overall, it was a very good meal. I feel like if we had ordered other plates, our meal might have been even better. We will definitely be back to try other courses!
Went to Petrossian last night for the 2009 Winter Restaurant Week and left very pleased. Although the site said "jacket preferred", my friends and I came in wearing jeans and sweaters (I even had snow boots) since it was snowing out, but that didn't seem to be a big deal. The service exceeded my expectations. The staff (and even the manager) came by enough times to make sure we had everything we needed but not to the point that it was annoying nor to rush us out. Everything I ordered was delicious. I had the Maviar & Salmon Roe to start, then the West Coast Sturgeon, and finally finished off with the Dark Brownie.
Went last night for Restaurant Week. They were nice enough to accomodate an extra person the day of our reservations. Food was fabulous and the caviar is everything they claim it to be- delicious! I had the smoked salmon for appetizer, sturgeon, and mint cake for dessert.... all which I enjoyed very much. Besides the stuffy service, getting dinner here for $35 was awesome! If I had a ton of money to spend, I would come here non-restaurant week frenzy and order a lot of caviar. Minus one star for the stuffy service.
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